Keyframes and graph editor

Keyframes let a property change over time. Use them for zooms, pans, fades, animated text, effect ramps, moving masks, and graphic animations.

What can be keyframed

Many element properties can be animated, including:

• Position X/Y.
• Scale X/Y.
• Rotation.
• Opacity.
• Effect parameters.
• Mask position, size, feather, and shape values.
• Shape-specific parameters.
• Some text animation settings.

If a control has a diamond/keyframe icon, it can usually be keyframed.

Add your first keyframe

1. Select a clip or overlay.
2. Move the playhead to the point where the animation should start.
3. Open the relevant property in the right properties panel.
4. Click the diamond/keyframe icon next to the property.
5. Set the starting value.
6. Move the playhead later.
7. Change the property value.
8. Play the section to preview.

The editor interpolates between the two values.

Example: slow zoom in

1. Select a video clip.
2. Move the playhead to the clip start.
3. Open Transform.
4. Keyframe Scale X and Scale Y at 100%.
5. Move the playhead to the clip end.
6. Increase both scales to 110%.
7. Preview the clip.

This creates a subtle push-in.

Example: fade in an overlay

1. Select a text, sticker, graphic, or image overlay.
2. Move to the first frame of the overlay.
3. Open Blending.
4. Keyframe Opacity at 0%.
5. Move ahead 8-12 frames.
6. Set Opacity to 100%.
7. Preview.

For a fade out, reverse the values at the end of the clip.

Example: animate a highlight box

1. Add a rounded rectangle graphic.
2. Place it around the subject.
3. Move to the first frame.
4. Keyframe scale and opacity.
5. Start slightly smaller with lower opacity.
6. Move later and set full size and opacity.
7. Add a small fade out at the end.

This creates a clean callout animation.

Select and move keyframes

Keyframes appear on the timeline or property controls where supported.

You can:

• Click a keyframe to select it.
• Drag a keyframe earlier or later.
• Delete selected keyframes.
• Copy and paste keyframes between compatible properties.

Use keyframe dragging to retime animation without changing the actual values.

Use the graph editor

The graph editor controls how motion eases between keyframes.

Use it to:

• Smooth abrupt motion.
• Create fast-start or slow-end movement.
• Make zooms feel more natural.
• Remove robotic linear animation.

Common easing choices:

• Linear — constant speed.
• Ease in — starts slow, ends fast.
• Ease out — starts fast, ends slow.
• Ease in/out — smooth start and finish.

Paste keyframes

Use paste keyframes when you want the same motion on multiple elements.

1. Select the element with the animation.
2. Copy it or copy its keyframes.
3. Select the target element.
4. Paste keyframes.
5. Preview and adjust timing if needed.

This is useful for repeated captions, callouts, and social graphics.

Keyframing with timeline edits

When you trim or move a clip, check its keyframes.

• Moving a clip should keep keyframes relative to the clip.
• Trimming can hide keyframes outside the visible range.
• Splitting can separate animation sections.
• Compound clips can help keep complex animation groups together.

Best practices

• Use fewer keyframes first; add detail only if needed.
• Preview at full speed, not just frame-by-frame.
• Use easing for most motion.
• Keep social text motion fast and readable.
• Avoid animating too many properties at once.

Troubleshooting

See also

• Properties panel
• Timeline editing
• Text overlays and titles
• Masks